Ballot access (IGNORE = Nader thread)

[mdmc]

I hear a lot about Nader not being on ballots across the country. With all due respect, I would like to walk DU through what Nader is doing.
By starting his own line, he can get on all ballots. NYS is one of the harder ones - I am sure that he will be able to get on our statewide ballot.
Nader can still run on the GREEN line, if they will have him. He can also get other third party lines (in NY we have the Independence party, the Conservative party, and the Working Families Party).

The premise of a Nader campaign is that the two ruling parties have failed America. Democrats can claim that THEY HAVE represented the interests of GREENS ~ Progressives, and / or they can claim that they are the lesser of two evils (a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush, which is bad, because Kerry isn't as bad as Bush).

Most "Persuadable" Greens will vote for Kerry, especially in contested states. Most "pure" Greens would never vote for a Democrat, even if it was someone like Sharpton or Kucinich.

Every Nader voter KNOWS exactly what is at stake, and have decided not to "enable" the Democratic party. Please don't try to change them. Instead, try building the Democratic party.

Bashing Greens doesn't help Democrats. Only building the Democratic Party helps Democrats.

I'm an active local Dem, that has voted for Nader in 96 and 2000, due to the Democratic parties failure to fight the drug war. I vote in every election, and I GOTV. I never bash the Greens, I just build up the Dems. I respect them and move on. Try it.

[lastknowngood]

1. Nader is playing with his pecker and not much else

he is as relevant as the log cabin repugs. If he wants to do some good he should work for local progressive candidates who will work to change the democratic party back to the party of the people. Otherwise he is just an annoyance who will help the repugs. Remember President Gore wouldn't have put us through the last 3 years of BS. If you don't understand that there is a difference then may the Gods and Goddess forgive you.

[Deja Q]

2. You both are right.

We all need to work together, and we need the Left to become Left once again.

[mdmc]

4. Thats all I'm sayin.

Thats my last Nader thread, honest.

[aintitfunny]

3. I agree with you

while I have never and will likely never vote for Nader, I respect and even understand his position. I would have preferred that he would not have chosen to run, but support his right to do so. We as a party must pull together. We all must work to convince those straddling the fence that our side of the fence is the right side to land on. I am not estactic that Kerry is our standard bearer, but he is. We can overcome whatever percentage Nader pulls from us. There is so much wrong with this administration and its total lack of leadership and sound governance. We must continue to get the word out, shouting strong and loud above the endless stream of BS and propagand being spewing through all media. It is up to us as a party to continue to pull together, as it seems we have been doing in this primary season. It is up to us to not allow the small percentage that Nader will pull away from us to result in another 4 years of Bush. We must build up our party, re-engage those who have turned away and focus on the multitude of sins being committed on a daily basis by the current administration. We cannot focus on Nader, we cannot let the media poke a hole in our building balloon of strength before we have taken flight.

[mdmc]

5. what can you and I do for Kerry?

I was involved with the Dean movement and am locally involved in the Democratic party. What can I do for Kerry in NYS? He is going to blow Bush out of the water here.

[aintitfunny]

6. I also supported Dean

and I live in Maryland, which is most likely to be a landslide state for Kerry. But is will donate, not much, but what I can. I am and will continue to hold my liberal democrat label high and proud even in the most conservative of settings. I have had some discussions with classic conservatives. While I am not convinced they will vote for Kerry, they DO have doubts about the war-mongering little creep we currently call the Prez. Every little bit helps.

[mdmc]

7. well met

I like what you say.